Moonlight on the Water (Chapter 4)

>Even though your mouth and lips moved, you were at a loss for words.
>Luna continued to glare at you as though she could read you like an open book.
I... uh....
>Your blood ran cold as your stomach began to twist and turn. When you had a bad feeling, you knew something was going to happen.
>The dark blue mare stood up immediately, “YOU DARE IMPRISON ME LIKE SOME ANIMAL?” Her voice booming and echoes within the confines of the ship’s hull.
>With hands covering your ears, you wince as you felt your head and eardrums buzz.
>She quickly turns and storms out of the living quarters without another word.
>Getting out bed you scramble about but end up tripping.
>You get back on your feet and follow her to the deck. As you look around, you can see it was morning already.
>There you spot Luna at the helm, standing up on her hind legs with her front legs on the wheel.
Wait! What on God’s green earth are you doing?
>She makes a sharp right turn, sending you off balance and almost falling over.
>The schooner groans as she makes the tight turn and starts turning north bound.
>You scuttle up to the helm, her gaze dead set on what’s in front of her.
Will you please let me explain?
>”Explain what? How you intend to profit off my enslavement? I thought it was bad enough I was going to be stuck here with you, but then I see in your dreams that I’m nothing more some cheap carnival side show!”
>Without hesitation you grab the wheel and try to pull it to the left to get back on course.
Think of all the opportunities. We can be happy living a life of luxury!
>Luna was stronger than she appears.
>That or you’re just a weakling; she manages to keep you from turning the helm, yet she struggles as well.
>”I do not wish to spend one more second here with you! I wish to return home immediately,” she growls at you. “Money concerns me not one bit.”

>You continue to fight for control of the helm.
>As the two of you carry on to struggle, Luna finally knocks you back.
This is my ship and you can’t just take command of it!
>”I am the Princess of the Night, and I command you to take me home this instant!”
You’re not royalty here. You’re just some... filthy horse covered in sparkles!
>Luna’s eyes go big at first as she gasps at what you said.
>She glares you with some kind of intent as she lets go of the wheel and slowly walks up to you.
>”Take that back...” she growls in a low voice.
>Poppycock if you were going to let some four-legged animal take over your ship.
>With a yell you charge at her. She does the same.
>You both collide and start to fumble and shuffle as you fight in a heap.
Prat!
>”Ugly monkey!”
Munter!
>”Diamond Dog!”
>Luna managed to get on top but you weren’t about to let this beast get the better of you.
>You manage to push her to the side and jump on top.
>Without realizing, you ended up kneeling on her injured wing resulting her in screaming.
>Not a normal cry.
>It was something you didn’t expect an animal like her to make.
>The sound was... human.
>You quickly get off her as you felt adrenaline pumping through your body.
>Staring at her, she gets up to her feet and regains her composure.
I didn’t mean to...
>She saw this as an opening and charges at you full throttle.
>As you try to dodge Luna was already barreling down on you. With whatever strength you had you give her one final shove.
>The wet deck floors prove to be a challenge for a creature that has yet to develop their sea legs. Luna slips from the shove and ends up falling over the railing and into the ocean.
>It all happened so quickly.
>You hear a splash followed by coughing and spitting.
>Looking over the edge you see Luna flailing wildly in the water. Her yells for help were being drowned out by mouthfuls of sea water everything she went under.
>She was already starting to fall behind as the ship kept sailing forward.
>Grabbing a length of rope, you fasten one end to the railing and throw the other end to Luna.
Grab it!
>She lunges for the rope and finally manages to bite down on it with her mouth.
>There was another length of rope nearby. You fasten one end around your waste and without hesitation you jump the railing.
>The water was ice cold but you were dead set on saving her.
>You finally reach her and grab onto her.
Just hang onto me.
>Pulling with all your strength, you manage to get both yourself and Luna out of the water and back onto the schooner.
>As the morning sun continues to rise you wrap a cold and miserable Luna with a dry towel.
>Her brows sat heavy on her face as she kept focus on the horizon.
>You rub the towel over her mane, which behaves much like normal hair, but its appearance was still ethereal.
>There were no words to say.
>The silence spoke for itself.
>It wasn’t long before you brought up a hot cup of tea for Luna.
>Without a budge in her expression, she somehow takes the cup in her hoof, sips from it and sets it down next to her.
>You didn’t change course, but Luna was still angry with you. You would think that by not changing course, she would be happy at least.
>But the whole idea was still haphazard at best. You had no means of navigation and no idea where you were now.
>Going back down to the supplies, you manage to find one measly tin of biscuits and a small tin of fruit spread.
>You were feeding more than yourself now.
>Starving didn’t sound like the best way to go, especially out at sea.
>With your biscuits and jam, you go back up to deck and sit not too far from Luna and began to take small bites from the dry pastry.
>The crumbs spill onto your lap as you smack your lips.
>Luna still had that pouty look of spoiled child on her face.
>You were about to use her to gain fame and fortune, but you would’ve let her bask in the glory too.
>You would do your best to make she was happy.
>Yet the prospect of such did not intrigue her.
>She did mention an older sister.
>Luna probably has others that care about her deeply as well.
>The more you dwell on the thought, the more you began to realize how monstrous your intentions really are.
>Money and fame are tempting and within your grasp, but could you be happy living with the suffering of this sentient creature?
>Even if you didn’t want money or fame, exposing her to the science community could mean that she might get taken away.
>Then they would possibly...
>The sound of her shrill scream fills your mind.
>What would Gywneth think of you?
>You quickly snap out of it and try your best to ignore such thoughts.
Luna...
>Her eyes immediately fall onto you with a death stare.
Princess Luna, I want to help you. But please consider the reality that we are at the mercy of the sea and we have dwindling supplies.
>Luna turns her gaze away, you weren’t even sure if she was even taking heed of your words.
>With a heavy sigh you take another bite of your biscuit. It suddenly lost its flavour.
>You’re stuck between reasoning with stubborn horse from another world and the possibility of starving to death.
>An idea struck you.
>Quickly scarfing down the biscuit, you walk over to the mast where you kept a spare map located.
>Of course, it would take some careful navigation but it was your best chance.
>Luna was intrigued by your sudden energy and stood next to you.
>There you placed your finder to the southernmost region of Greenland.
Qaqortoq.
>She looked up to with annoyance; as if she was suppose to know what you are talking about.
A small town located to the north of us hopefully. There we can resupply and keep heading north along the coast.
>You quickly head back to the helm where your other map was located. There you had markings on it from your last coordinates.
>With some rough calculations you estimated you were.... lost.
>With a growl in your throat you slam your fist against the railing of the ship.
>The only way you were certain that you were heading north was because of the rising and setting of the sun.
>Even if you tried to navigate by stars it was pointless. You had little to no knowledge on the matter. You always had a compass to guide you.
>This is the problem with advancement in technology. You rely on it too much and when things get tough, no one can do things the old fashion way.
>Oh your father would make a day of this if he caught wind. He was always the one to call you out on every mistake you would make.
>”You seem troubled.” She interjects.
>At least she was willing to talk to you again.
Without a compass, we have a low chance of reaching our destination. All we can do is keep heading north until we find dry land.
>The mare looks at the map then turns her attention to the sky above. You can see a smirk on her face.
>You were shock to hear she was giggling.
What’s so funny?
>Not to sound as if you were annoyed by this, but a genuine interest as to why she was laughing.
>”Oh pitiful creature, you mock me for having no power in this world. It was a rather bitter pill to swallow that I cannot raise your moon or stars like I can back home.” She slowly begins to walk away from you. The air around was thicken with her smugness.
Well, about last night, I...
>She raises her hoof to you, gesturing for your silence. “However, you should be thankful that I am a princess who does not hold a grudge. For I, Princess Luna, shall guide you and this dreck of a vessel.”
>Dreck?! The nerve of this creature.
>Was this another trick of hers?
How do you propose that?
>Luna walks back towards you as she held her head up rather high. “Last night while you were sleeping, I found that I was still able to observe your night sky and its entire constellation.”
 >You pause momentarily at this revelation.
>”I still possess my aptitude of looking at the night sky and finding my way.” She confesses.
You’re pulling my leg.
>Her smug attitude only intensifies, “You will just have to wait until nightfall to see for yourself. Then I will be able to accurately pinpoint where we are located.”
>Luna walks over the stairs leading downstairs. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be taking a nap. Try not to lose your anymore than you already have.”
>Oh that horse....
>She has a real way of getting under your skin.
>Luna better be telling the truth, otherwise you’ll just have to shave that lovely mane of hers right off. Then we’ll see who has the last gaffe.
>It would be some time before sunset, so you set about making sure all lines were secure and navigated through the waves.
>By late afternoon, you got the wonderful idea to try some fishing.
>At least fishing will help you take your mind off that snooty pony and you’ll get a hot meal out of it.
>Heading to the storage department, you find your fishing reel and a small tackle box.
>Back up on deck, you take down the sails to slow your progress.
>As you set your hook and lure, you recall the days of when you and Gywneth would fish together off the piers.
>She somehow managed to catch much bigger fish than you.
>”It’s all about how you use the lure.” She would tell you. Her father was seemingly an expert of fish, as if he knew how they think.
>Using a small feather lure with some lead weights, you cast out the line and wait.
>After a few moments, you reel it back in and cast again.
>You felt a small tug.
>Just had to wait for it...
>Something grabs your line full force.
>Set!
>With a quick string pull, you set the hook and begin to reel it in.
>You couldn’t see what it was through the murky depths, but it felt like a pretty big one.
>Easing the line and pulling it in, the quarry was still resisting.
>It’s not like you never caught fish before, but this one felt sizeable compared to the ones you use to get.
>Finally, you saw something darting around under the waves.
>You could tell right away it was a mackerel, and a big fat one at that!
>Not letting the opportunity pass, you quickly pull in the fish with one last pull.
>An audible thump is heard as the fish hits the deck and flops around as it gasps.
>Wasting no time, you grab the tasty morsel and take it to your table where a fillet knife was waiting.
>Holding the fish firm in one hand, the knife in the other; you begin to lay the edge down against its neck.
>”I really needed that nap,” you heard Luna speak as she makes her way onto the deck.
I’m glad to hear it; you’ll need to gather all your strength.
>You hope she would sleep longer, but nothing can spoil your hot dinner now. The fish in its last struggle gave out another spasm, but your grip held it in place.
>Luna spots the small creature on the table and the knife in your hand and immediately walks over to you. “What are you doing to that poor creature?”
>You glance briefly at the fish and back to her. She sounds upset.
I’m going to clean it and eat it?
>”You will do no such horrid thing while I’m here. Now unhand that defenceless animal.” She stomps her hoof once.
>She couldn’t be serious.
I’m sorry, but this is just one of the things we humans eat.
>You set the blade against the fish that still had life in it, but Luna was starting to beg at this point.
>”There is still much left on the ship to eat. If you promise to let that fish go, I swear I will not touch another ration until we reach dry land.”
You’re acting silly. It’s just a fish; a mindless animal.
>She shook her head, refusing what you are telling her. “Can’t you tell it’s scared? It’s dying. Please, you have to put it back. You don’t have sovereignty over its life.”
Why do you care so much about a fish?
>Luna squeezes her eyes shut and screams at you. “JUST LET IT GO!”
>For that moment you could only stare at her as everything went quiet after that.
>You weren’t angry or afraid, but rather mystified. The fish starts to become weaker in its struggle.
>With the mackerel in hand, you walk over to the edge of the boat and drop it into the ocean.
>At first it slowly drifts through the water, but soon springs back to life and darts down into the abyss.
>You never heard anyone get this upset over killing a fish for food.
You sound as though I meant to torture it.
>”It’s a living creature, but I suppose you and your kind are too savage to care.” She retorts.
>You could feel yourself getting more flustered. No way were you about to let this animal talk down to you.
You know nothing about me. Why don’t you make yourself useful and go to sleep?
>”Why? How do I know you don’t plan on cutting my throat like you tried to do to that fish?”
Listen to you, acting all high and mighty. I suppose you’re just perfect in your wonderful kingdom. Nope, you never made a mistake or anything in your entire lifetime.
>Luna begins to glare at you again.
I know I’m not perfect. I sometimes chose poorly, but I didn’t know any better. Of course you wouldn’t know because you’re just ‘perfect’ the way you are!
>”Shows what you know...” she mutters as she turns away and heads back downstairs.
>The anger within was boiling over. You really wanted to tell her off, but part of you restrained that urge.
>Now you had no fish to eat.
>May as well be whatever you can scrounge up from your stash for now.
>As the day drew out you contemplated whether you should try fishing again, as long as she didn’t know there would be no harm done.
>You didn’t want to risk it.
>But what’s the worse she could do? Threaten to not show you the way to dry land? She may as well die out here with you.
>As the sun began to settle down in the west, you could feel a chill in the air. It was a sure sign that you were indeed heading further north.
>In your mind you decide that when Luna comes back up you should apologize for chastising her with your words.
>If you want to be treated with some respect, you should at least try to do unto others.
>As the warm embrace of the sun melted behind the horizon, you were greeted with the cool dry air of the night.
>The weather shouldn’t be too rough and the night sky was perfectly clear.
>By the time the stars have begun to shine through the black canvas, you saw Princess Luna come out from below deck.
>Already you felt that awkward tension in the air.
>Should you just come out and apologize right away or wait?
>You were never good at making quick decisions.
>Luna gazes up to the heavens above and shakes her head; the stars in her mane began to shimmer and give off a faint glow.
>Silently she walks up to the helm where you are waiting. There behind you on a small table was a map with the north end pointing towards the bow of the ship.
>Without saying anything, Luna turns her eyes once more to the stars.
>It was now or never.
Luna...
>She stops to look over at you with an inquisitive look. You quickly remember how she likes to be addressed.
Princess Luna, I’ve been meaning to apologize for my harsh tone earlier.
>The ears lay flat on her head as she looks down to the ground, much like a child that felt shame. “Perhaps I too was a bit quick to judge. I... um...”
>You could tell she was probably trying to say more than what was needed.
I just want this to work out. Be best if we tried to get along. I think a good start is to know if we’re heading in the right direction.
>You could feel a warm sensation in your chest, and you sense it in her as well. With a smile and nod, Luna looks down at the map and then back towards the sky.
>Like ice forming on a lake, her pupils and iris become lost under a blanket of white as she stares off into the abyss of the night sky.
>Bright incandescent white light began to shine forth from her eyes.
>You found yourself stepping back out of fear and shock.
>The stars within her mane began to shift and dance as the satellites from above shine brightly.
>You could swear you felt the schooner shake and rattle.
>As if you were struck by a sudden gust of wind, a bright beam of light shot forth from her horn to the night sky above. You shield your eyes and reel back.
>The more to continue to watch, the more certain you felt your sanity slip away.
>It was the most surreal event you have ever witnessed.
>As the narrow ray of light disappears into the black abyss a bright circular wave of light emits from the point of contact.
>It slowly fades away as it ripples away from the center point.
>Everything stands still for a brief moment.
>Another wave of wave rushes back from the around the horizon. Once the wave rushed back to the highest point above, a bright blue beam of light falls back down on Luna.
>You felt as though the heavens above was about to fall, yet Luna was perfectly still throughout the ordeal.
>The blue light came to a stop as the princess closes her eyes.
>Looking around to see if everything has come to a stop, you slowly approach Luna.
>She wasn’t moving.
>You call to her in a quiet whisper.
Luna...?
>Almost like an explosion, bright dots and specks flew past you from her mane.
>Again you reel back and cover your face, fearing the worst.
>Something felt... odd.
>The air around you felt different. As you uncover your eyes, you look to see that there were many bright dots surrounding both you and Luna.
>As a matter of fact, half of the schooner was encompassed by this bluish glow filled with luminous spots.
>You recognized some of these. They were constellations.
>The clothes on your body slowly drift around, as if you were floating in a pool of water.
>The glowing field surrounding you and the ship quickly shrank down. “There we go, let’s see if we can get an idea of where we are...” she mumbles to herself.
>The three dimensional field of stars and constellations was shrunken down to fit over the map that was on the table.
>Luna squints her eyes ever so as she carefully examines the map and the stars.
>From the map a small beam of light jumps up and connects to the North Star. From there it stretches out to the highest point above and finally falls back down on the map.
>There it shines the brightest, almost too much for your eyes to handle.
>The light stops and everything goes dark again.
>On the map you can see two small dots of light hovering over the map. Like a child you reach out and pinch at it with your fingers.
>You couldn’t feel anything. But you are certain it’s right there.
>You stare at the small lights as they hover over the map.
That’s it?
>”This light shows where we are right now, and the smaller one in front is the direction in which we are facing. You should be able to use it to help navigate us to... Quack-cork...”
Qaqortoq.
>”Yes, so how long will it take for us to arrive at this place?” she looks down at the map.
>As you look at the piece of paper, you see that you’re at Latitude 56 and Longitude -39.
>You were almost directly south of your destination, just small change in direction and you will be well on your way.
>As you began to turn the wheel to adjust your course, Luna stood next to you and was wearing the biggest smirk on her face.
>As you kept looking between the map and the horizon, you notice the grin on her face.
>You look at her briefly not sure what to say.
>”Well...?” she continues to smile.
>Then and there, that smile she wore became contagious and you couldn’t help but smile as well. This creature was truly spectacular in her own way, even if she did annoy you at times.
>There actually was something to this magic after all.
You really came through. Thank you.
>”Perhaps next time you should not doubt my abilities.” She quickly sticks her tongue out at you.
>Still a troublemaker as you could plainly see.
>”How long is it until we get there?”
>You were still a ways away, but if the wind and current were agreeable you should make it within less than 2 weeks.
I would say... less than 2 weeks.
>Luna looks up to the sky and sighs in relief. “Good, as long as we make haste after our stop, then everything shall be fine.”
What if I need to close this map, what happens to this light?
>”Try it and find out.”
>Grabbing the edges of the map, you fold them over each other and the two small dots of light go out.
>Almost out panic, you quickly unfold the paper fearing you extinguished the light.
>But there from the map the two glowing specks rise from the paper back to the original position.
My God...
>”I did rather enjoy the look on your face when I was using my Star Gazing. You hum-menz have rather peculiar expressions.” She giggles.
>Ignoring her statement, you figure now would be a good time as any to ask her a couple of questions.
Why is it important that we get to the north as quick as we can? And for that matter, how did you even end up here?
>With a heavy sigh, Luna sat herself down and gazes up to the North Star. “”I fear that both those questions are more related than you think. Back home my sister and I were experimenting with our magic and this gateway.”
>You lean up against the railing of the ship to listen to her story.
>”It is a mirror that acts like a doorway to another world. Celestia and I tried to use our magic to see if we could find other worlds. But... something went wrong.”
>Luna stands up and walks over to the railing next to you. “We didn’t anticipate the gateway reacting adversely to our magic. There was a bright light and the next thing I knew, I was on your ship.”
Frankly, I’m just surprised you even survive that fall.
>”Remember how you said you saw that rather bright star in the sky not too long before I appeared?”
>You nod and turn your eyesight back to the northern hemisphere.
>”That’s where I need to go. But we do not have much time. If I do not get as close as I can, the gateway will close and I’ll be stuck here.”
For how long?
>Her ears flatten against her head. “I do not know for sure. I can still feel my sister’s presence, although I am weak now, I pray that by the time we arrive I will be able to open the gateway. Then I should be able to go home.”
>You push off from the railing and hop over to the main mast. You let the sails out full to grab as much wind as possible.
Then we’ll make sure we don’t waste a second.
>You could only stay up for so long before the sandman persuaded you. Luna said she will stand watch for the night.
>She mentions that the night has always made her feel more at home; even if she can’t control the moon or the stars.
>Luna was willing to accept this.
>As you went to bed that night, you felt better thinking that Luna was beginning to warm up to you.
>Although your rest was uneventful in terms of dreams, you were woken up early in the morning by Luna.
>You felt her nudging you with her muzzle. “Anon, you need to come outside.”
>With a groan and a stretch you groggily ask her.
What’s the matter? Did something happen?
>Luna quickly left the sleeping quarters and ignores your question altogether.
>Putting your clothes on, you grab a quick snack and head to the deck.
>It was morning time, no question about it.
>But all around was a heavy blanket of fog. Not only that, but the sails barely had no wind in them either.
>The ocean water was seemingly calm.
>”This fog came out of nowhere as we were sailing. Does this usually happen?” she asks inquisitively.
>You walk around the deck making sure all the lines were secure. But with no wind, you were at the mercy of the sea.
>Something caught your eye off the starboard. A large object was drifting towards your ship.
>It was bigger than your schooner.
Get below deck.
>”What? What’s happening? Is something wrong?” her eyes dart between you and the oncoming vessel.
Get down there now!
>Quickly you start to hoist the hatch leading downstairs. Luna complies and heads down to the sleeping quarters.
>You close the panel behind her and look onward as the large ship made its way closer to you and your schooner.